Memorise faster: the science of learning
A lot to remember?
Feeling like it’s not sticking?
Let me share a little secret…
There’s a new science to learning.
You will be shocked at how much time you can save.
Start with this article on the best way to memorise, or go deeper by browsing my recommended memory books and resources, best blog articles and podcast episodes below.
Ready to supercharge your learning – for good?
BTW… if you ever need more personalised guidance with learning for your exams, click here to learn more about my 1:1 study coaching. I’d be glad to help.
Featured Articles
The Leitner System for flashcards: how to elevate your memory and learning
If you’ve worked with flashcards before, you may have come across a nifty exam study technique without even knowing it: the Leitner system is a popular spaced repetition exercise for recalling vocabulary and facts. We'll delve into everything you need to know about...
Spaced Repetition Secrets: Using Spaced Learning To SUPERCHARGE Your Grades
Spaced repetition (or as it's more commonly known to memory psychologists, "spaced learning") is one of the most powerful and flexible of all memory strategies. If you have knowledge to learn for your course, I would consider spaced learning to be a mandatory...
51 PROVEN Study Tips For Students (That Work Like A Charm For 2025)
I'm a memory psychologist and study productivity expert, and have taught thousands of students how to study more effectively over the years. These are nothing more or less than the 51 all-time BEST simple, science-backed tips, tricks and hacks to help you remember...
What Is Chunking & How To Use This Powerful Memory Strategy
For most of us, our memories have their limits! Chunking helps you overcome the natural limitations of your memory, and is therefore a very powerful trick for helping you to learn information and get it into memory. I'm sharing a wealth of "trade secrets" for applying...
BEST Memorisation Techniques For Exams: The Secret Science Of How To Remember What You Study
Scientists have reached broad agreement that there is one memorisation technique for exams and tests that, above all others, that will solve the age-old question of how to remember what you study… as few as 7% of college-level students are using this technique as their main revision strategy.
More Articles
Mnemonics: The Pegword Method – How To Use It, And Does It Really Work?
The pegword method is a really useful mnemonic device for learning a list of items in order, particularly when those items are concrete, visual objects rather than abstract concepts. Without further ado, here's how the technique works, and how to use it! Our mission...
Maths Mnemonics Showdown: PEMDAS vs BODMAS for Calculation Mastery
PEMDAS, GEMDAS, BIDMAS and BODMAS. It sounds like the start of a wacky kids TV show tune … but they’re all actually clever mnemonics – acronyms to be exact – to help you remember one thing: the order of operations for mathematical calculations. Confused? Not for much...
The Cornell Method for Note Taking: Better Notes for Revision and Review
As a student or professional you’ll come across many different note-taking methods and strategies, but one of the most popular (for good reason!) is the Cornell Notes method. So what’s it all about? We’re going to explore how Cornell notes work, what the benefits are,...
Six Top Note Taking Strategies for College Students
Effective note-taking is one of the most important skills to master as a (new) university or college student – or at any stage of your academic career! So you need a good note-taking strategy, and we've taken notes on the six best methods you can master: Our mission...
The Leitner System for flashcards: how to elevate your memory and learning
If you’ve worked with flashcards before, you may have come across a nifty exam study technique without even knowing it: the Leitner system is a popular spaced repetition exercise for recalling vocabulary and facts. We'll delve into everything you need to know about...
28 GENIUS Study Hacks To Save You Time (& Score Top Grades In Exams)
The best way to learn is smarter, not harder. And you can easily make that change, today, with these 28 cunning study and exam hacks! With only a few small tweaks to your study habits, you'll have increased your productivity, improved your memory and streamlined your...
![On Mnemonics, Memory Palaces and Making Mistakes: With Anthony Metivier [PODCAST]](https://examstudyexpert.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Anthony-Metivier.jpg)
On Mnemonics, Memory Palaces and Making Mistakes: With Anthony Metivier [PODCAST]
Special guest and memory enthusiast Anthony Metivier takes us on a whirlwind journey through the magical world of memory palaces and mnemonic systems.This episode transcript has been AI generated for your convenience and accessibility. William Wadsworth: Hello and...
![Cognitive Load Theory “Brain Hacks” For Students – Ollie Lovell [PODCAST]](https://examstudyexpert.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Ollie-Lovell.jpg)
Cognitive Load Theory “Brain Hacks” For Students – Ollie Lovell [PODCAST]
Discover how to supercharge your brain ... with "cognitive load theory"! Featuring teacher, author and podcaster Ollie Lovell.Memory and learning month continues with an introduction to the powerful "cognitive load theory" principle, and how we can use it to...
John Dunlosky: Study Like A Champ [PODCAST]
Professor John Dunlosky is a veritable giant in the world of learning science: So tune in to find out ALL his thoughts on popular - and effective - study strategies!Today, we're welcoming giant of the "science of effective study" world, Professor John Dunlosky, to...
![Dunlosky’s Student Toolbox In Action – Amarbeer Singh Gill [PODCAST]](https://examstudyexpert.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Amarbeer-Singh-Gill.jpg)
Dunlosky’s Student Toolbox In Action – Amarbeer Singh Gill [PODCAST]
Which less popular study strategies are really effective? And when are they best applied? Find out in discussion with expert author and maths teacher, Amarbeer Singh Gill.Part 2 of the Memory & Learning series here on the Exam Study Expert podcast this month:...
![Five Fun Memory Effects & How They Can Help Your Studying [PODCAST]](https://examstudyexpert.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/ese-podcast.jpg)
Five Fun Memory Effects & How They Can Help Your Studying [PODCAST]
Explore the psychology behind five fun memory "hacks" you can use to improve your studying!Today, I wanted to share 5 fun little features of memory that psychologists have figured out over the years, and how we can use them to help "hack" the learning process. Enjoy!...
Effective Study Strategy In Action: Flashcards, Anki & Spacing [PODCAST]
Which study strategies really work when you're tackling an information-rich course?! Let's find out about studying with flashcards ...Max, a CPA (accounting) exam candidate, brings us the daily challenges of learning an information-dense course, and how flashcards...
![Science of Learning: 6 Strategies With Dr Yana Weinstein-Jones [PODCAST]](https://examstudyexpert.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Yana-Weinstein-Jones.jpg)
Science of Learning: 6 Strategies With Dr Yana Weinstein-Jones [PODCAST]
Learn faster and remember more for better grades in less time: Six science-based strategies for success from Dr Yana Weinstein-Jones. Welcome to "Science Of Learning" season on the Exam Study Expert podcast! Over the next few weeks, we'll be maximising YOUR memory -...
Retrieval Practice: The Ultimate Guide [PODCAST]
What is retrieval practice? I'm breaking down exactly how to unleash the immense power of this must-know memory strategy!So what is retrieval practice? The most important thing I can teach you is to use retrieval practice a lot and to use it well. So that's what I'm...
![Secret of Spaced Learning – with Dr Carolina Kuepper-Tetzel [PODCAST]](https://examstudyexpert.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Carolina-Kuepper-Tetzel.jpg)
Secret of Spaced Learning – with Dr Carolina Kuepper-Tetzel [PODCAST]
Dr Carolina Kuepper-Tetzel is an expert cognitive psychologist. She joins us to share how to use the powerful spaced learning method.Can you remember what you learned last week? How about last month? Spaced learning is an INCREDIBLY powerful method for getting...
![Visual Learning & Dual Coding – With Oliver Caviglioli [PODCAST]](https://examstudyexpert.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Oliver-Caviglioli.jpeg)
Visual Learning & Dual Coding – With Oliver Caviglioli [PODCAST]
The real science of "visual learning strategies" and "dual coding". Learn how to use them to supercharge your learning, with respected teaching and learning expert Oliver Caviglioli. There’s no such thing as a “visual learner”. The idea that some of us are “visual...
Useful tools
- Popular flashcards apps for learning: Anki, Brainscape, Quizlet.
- Buy physical paper flashcards: I was weirdly excited to see Amazon still stocks the exact flashcard make that I used to buy as a student! I was a bit picky – you want a good quality of paper, the right size, and a spine that’s not so bulky that it’s uncomfortable to write on the back of a card when it’s flipped over (if you’re right handed, your hand is resting right over the spine at that point). Available in packs of five. Only available in the UK unfortunately – elsewhere, try these.
Recommended books
- Make It Stick: go deeper on the science of learning – this is a very readable book, almost like a novel. Really excellent.
- Understanding How We Learn: a superb visual primer on the science of learning – my copy is never far from my desk and is well-thumbed!
As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. I make these recommendations based on personal experience and because I think they are genuinely helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I receive.
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